Form to the Formless


«Jaded
«Before the Dawn

071341.png53Elegance and ArtistryFeaturequest1 Icon.png Elegance and Artistry»

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Forename! Just the man I was hoping to see! And I'm not saying that just to be nice. Mind you, I do pride myself on being nice─you recruit more apprentices with honey than vinegar, after all! But where was I...?


Oh, of course! There's a certain someone I'd like to introduce to you─a special someone, at that. His name is Marcel, and he's in charge of handling commissions from some of Eshtaime's most prestigious clients. We're talking the elite of the elite here.


Marcel's clients expect nothing less than the finest, which means that Marcel trusts only our guild's most accomplished to fill his orders. Getting the call from Marcel is a sure sign that you've made it in the goldsmithing world. But I'm sure you can see where this is going, Forename.


It seems your fine work has earned you something of a reputation. With that─plus a vote of confidence from little old me─Marcel has personally requested your services for his latest commission. Why, he's waiting for you at Eshtaime's Aesthetics even as we speak! You're excited, aren't you? I know I'm excited!
Quest Accepted

Surname, is it? I am Marcel of Eshtaime's. Charmed, I'm sure.


Doubtless you have already heard from Mistress Serendipity, and in far too many words. I will be brief: a most important client of mine has commissioned a work of supreme significance─and you will have the privilege of contributing to its creation.


Note that I say contribute. I ask you not to take full responsibility, a task which would doubtless prove beyond you at this stage of your career. Yes, you need not fear, for I will be here to guide you in every step of the process. To help you grow from a mere craftsman to a creator of genius, as it were.


With that, let us get down to business. The order comes from the wife of a high-ranking officer of the Immortal Flames. The anniversary of their bonding draws near, and this most refined madam would gift her beloved spouse with a memento of singular beauty and meaning.


As the lady tells it, her husband is a hardened warrior who─despite his lofty rank─rarely leaves the front lines, where he tirelessly leads his men against the Amalj'aa. Their anniversary day will mark a brief but welcome respite from the battlefield─his first in moons.


As for the exact nature of the gift, she entrusts this entirely to us, as my clients are wont to do. Most believe that no mundane idea of their own could compete with the sheer genius and inspiration of Eshtaime's agents and artisans─an assumption which is true more often than not.


But what shall we create, hmm? At times like this, I think back to the words of my mentor, a renowned goldsmith I had the honor of working with when I first came to Eshtaime's some years ago.


“To give form to that which is formless, and breathe a warm, beating heart into the coldest of metal.” This is the goldsmith's true calling, the master would always say. His words have never failed to inspire me, and I trust they will do the same for you.


And yet rare indeed is it that inspiration comes entirely from within. In my own experience, I have found that reflecting upon these words in the company of trusted friends and colleagues oft proves enlightening.


Being a woman's gift, perhaps Mistress Serendipity and Miss Momodi at the Quicksand might have some insight to share. What say you consult them and return here with your impressions?

It seems your fine work has earned you something of a reputation. With that─plus a vote of confidence from little old me─Marcel of Eshtaime's has personally requested your services for his latest commission.


Why, he's waiting for you at the shop even as we speak! You're excited, aren't you, Forename? I know I'm excited!

Oh, Forename! Back so soon? I trust you've met with Marcel, yes? Is he still wearing that silly monocle? He says it's to make him look more refined, that he might better impress his customers. Just between you and me, I find it oh-so-slightly pretentious, but─oh yes, do tell me about your assignment!


“To give form to that which is formless, and breathe a warm, beating heart into the coldest of metal”...? Why, that was the very challenge my master posed to me when I set off on my own as a goldsmith.


It would seem his words resonated deeply with Marcel, as well. To realize that ideal in one's own work is the sign of a truly first-rate goldsmith─or so my master always said. That said, it is quite the riddle, is it not? That which is formless...

NE※GIGIGI★※...

RiDdLe, ScHmIdDlE! cOlOrS, sCeNtS, sOnGs─WhY, i CoUlD nAmE a ThOuSaNd FoRmLeSs ThInGs In ThE tImE iT wOuLd TaKe FoR yOu To GeT yOuR hAmMeR oUt Of YoUr─

You can stop right there, Gigi! That said, there's at least a smidgen of truth in what he says. There are all sorts of formless things that could be given form─which means that there's no single right answer.


Form to the formless─it's up to you to find an answer to this riddle that will use your talents to the fullest and please your customer, to boot. But if anyone can do it, Forename, you can. Why, I can scarcely wait to see what you come up with!

There's some truth in what Gigi says. Why, there are all sorts of formless things that could be given form─which means that there's no single right answer.


Form to the formless─it's up to you to find an answer to this riddle that will use your talents to the fullest and please your customer, to boot. But if anyone can do it, Forename, you can. Why, I can scarcely wait to see what you come up with!

If it ain't Forename! Wait, don't tell me─come to consult with yours truly in matters of the heart, mayhap?


Work, you say? Well, that ain't half as fun, now is it? But I reckon I still might be able to help you some. Not that I'm much of an expert on gift-givin', mind you. If I were, like as not I wouldn't be standin' behind this counter alone, if you catch my meanin'.


Many say it's best to go straight to the source, but things ain't always so simple. Just ask one of my regulars─she asked her beau what he wanted for his nameday, and do you know what he said? “A fond memory, mayhap...” A memory! They don't sell those at Eshtaime's, last I checked.


Which isn't to say that I don't understand what he was gettin' at. In the end, it's not the gift itself that matters, but the feelin's behind it. Hardened warrior or no, when he returns from the battlefield to see his beloved waitin' for him with open arms, he'll be moved by anythin' she has to offer.


But this customer of yours and her husband are gettin' on in their years, no? Strikes me the ideal gift would be one that serves to reaffirm the bond they already share.


A keepsake of sorts that would call to mind the day when the Spinner first brought them together. Seems to me that'd be as good a startin' point as any, wouldn't you say?
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“To give form to that which is formless, and breathe a warm, beating heart into the coldest of metal.” ...Well, Surname? I trust you have given these words due thought since last we spoke.


So you have spoken with Mistress Serendipity and Miss Momodi? Excellent. I would have your thoughts on─ah, but that can wait. Our client honors us with her presence.
Good
evening
, Marcel. I had business nearby, and I thought I would pay a visit.

Milady! As ever, you honor us with your presence and grace us with your beauty. And you could not have picked a better time─allow me to introduce Mister Surname, the goldsmith who will be assisting me in the crafting of the masterpiece-to-be you have ordered!


“To give form to that which is formless, and breathe a warm, beating heart into the coldest of metal”─such is the ideal we at Eshtaime's strive to achieve with our work.

A color, a scent, a melody─all lacking in form, but indelibly tied to our memories. The artistic process continues to unfold as we speak, but you have my word that the finished product will be fit for one of your surpassing aesthetic sensitivities.


And I am pleased indeed to hear it. But if you're trying to win my favor with those flowery words, Marcel, I fear I'm already spoken for!


But speaking of memories and melodies... My husband and I have always shared a love for the ballads of the Songstress of Ul'dah.

Do we all not share such a love, milady?


And yet, I fear that even the most skilled goldsmith would be hard-pressed to give “form” to a piece of─but wait!


I've got it! By Nald and by Thal, I've got it! A music box─a music box of gold!
How simply divine! A music box that would play a melody from our younger days! Why, I could not have dreamed up a more perfect gift in a hundred years!

Your words hearten me, milady. But I must give credit where due─it is a stroke of inspiration that would not have come to me without the assistance of Mister Surname here.


Into a vessel of the purest gold we shall carve a melody that will carry you and your husband back to that precious day when the Spinner guided you to each other.


I fear I must ask for your patience a while longer, milady. Rest assured that we will spare no effort in creating the perfect gift for your most special of days.
Quest Completed
System
The next goldsmith quest will be available from Marcel upon reaching level 53.
The requirements for undertaking subsequent quests can be reviewed in your journal.
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Quest Completed
Your skills as an artisan would be put to great use in crafting collectables. Speak with Morgayne at Saint Reinette's Forum in Ishgard to learn more of this lucrative business opportunity.
Quest Completed

If you seek even greater tests of your crafting prowess, you would do well to acquire master recipes.


Speak with Guiding Star at Revenant's Toll to learn about them.